The title The Snake Queen referrers to a folkloric children’s tale here in Switzerland. And not to a Gorgon like many might think.

The Snake Queen:Once, on a hot summer day, a young farmers’ daughter saw a snake lying on the hot stone of the road. It was almost dying because of the heat. The girl took the snake with her and fed it milk till it was strong enough to leave her hut on its own. On the next dawn another snake appeared in the farmer’s daughter home. But on the snake’s back sat a small elf. The Snake Queen. “You took care of me when I was in need. I am grateful for that and you shall be rewarded.” She spoke, took of her gold crown, handed it to the girl and disappeared again. The farmers’ daughter treasured the Queens present and from that day on wealth and happiness filled her life.

The hand resembles the helping one of the farmers’ daughter. Holding the snake gently, meaning: caring for every creature on earth. The golden ring is the present of the Snake Queen, meaning: With every good deed we make, one will eventually come back.

If i wouldn't read the story, i would directly say that the snake was being hold by a deamon. It's a bit creepy and arrogant for a hand of a farmer's daughter. And it really don't look like a young girl's hand. I don't know how no one didn't say that already... But in a voting challenge that doesn't surprise me --''. Maybe you should have used the colour of the snake's belly for the hand and some other for the nails. Crongatz for the snakes detail. I know you tried hard for it. I mostly like the details around it's mouth. They are poping up from the rest of the body. Good job keeping the traditional style all over the composition Please check my faun shirt [link] and my other entries if you liked it [link]

Yea I was surprised myself that nobody pointed that out till now. Honestly I thought of the color possibility of using the one of the snakes belly also for her fingernails. But at the end I thought it looked more eye catching this way. Also you can put a second interpretation to the hand: The Snake Queen herself is holding one of her precious children. That’s why the fingernails are matching the colors of the snake skin. But such things are always in the eye of the beholder.

Thank you very much for taking your time and analyzing my design I will check out your entries soon. Cheers!